10 Things to Teach My Son

1. Do Not Listen to Your Father: Scaring mom is not funny.

2. Take Risks: You'll learn more about yourself than you ever imagined.

3. Ride a Dirt Bike: You'll learn control and discipline while having a blast.

4. Play Volleyball: Everything you need to know about life will be found in volleyball. :D

5. Laugh Often and Laugh at Yourself: Don't take yourself or life too seriously, it's best enjoyed with laughter.

6. Believe In Yourself: Even when the world is saying you can't, and those you love are doubting Thomas', know with determination & hard work you can do anything you set your mind to.

7. Love Deeply: Love is the subtle bond that links us all; open your heart to the possibility even if it has been broken - holding back will only consume you with bitterness.

8. Don't Listen to Your Father: Scaring mom is not funny.

9. Forgive yourself: You can't change the past, release yourself from the shackles of regret, fear, or pressure you place on yourself.

10. Be Hopeful: If you look at the world through pessimistic eyes you'll only see the negative. Good and evil will always be at odds with each other, but you can have a heaven on earth if you focus on all the good you have in your life and let go of pessimism.

The Times, They Are A Changing

I can't believe that the little buster will be here so soon. Feels like it was just last week that Levi and I found out and were keeping this special secret to ourselves. Now I am past the halfway point. I feel lots of movement these days...he kicks me randomly, turns or tumbles when I finally try to relax and lie down at the end of the day...almost like he is saying, "mom, look what I can do!" I love it! He moves lots when I drink lemonade and he LOVES reese's peanut butter cups; he moves a bunch when I eat them. I cannot get enough of those and artichokes. :)

I keep wondering what he will look like or what his little personality will be. Will he have light or dark hair, will he even have hair when he is born, will he have my smile or Levi's, whose face shape will he have... The most amazing and special thing to me is this bond between Levi and I knowing that we have created this little person. I never knew my heart could grow and fall that much more in love with my husband, but it has and I find myself overwhelmed with joy. So overwhelmed with joy. I find that somehow through this process a peace has come to me and the worries that I once had are meaningless. All that matters is this family that I have with my husband. Of course there will still be worries and concerns - but different from those a year ago. Different from those 6-months ago. Just different - a difference I am anxiously and completely willing to embrace.

Worry Be Gone

I have finally finished telling the last of friends and, more importantly, my employer the news of our expected delivery in August. Anyone who knows me knows that I worry. And not only do I worry, but my vivid imagination is able to conjure up the many different scenarios that could potentially, but most likely will never, occur. So today is a W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L day because all those crazy worries have been put to rest.

As to update anyone curious about the little buddy, both baby and I are doing well. I have been extremely fortunate in that I did not have any morning sickness or real nausea in my first trimester. I was extremely tired and still find myself tired from time to time, but as one of my good friends put it, "You're creating something that is going from microscopic to an 8 lb baby in a short amount of time, of course you'll be tired." Touche.

All the check ups have gone well and we should deliver a healthy little one when he or she is ready. Another worry gone. As to the sex of the baby...we don't know at this time but we are going to find out. Levi and I are too curious to hold out until delivery. I don't feel like I have an increased appetite and the heartbeat is very fast, both signs - according to old wives tales - that we are having a girl. But who knows for sure and we'll find out soon enough.

So for the next few months this blog may be filled with news about the baby, funny stories about how my husband would like to take me golfing for my very first time when I am past 6-months pregnant (oh yes he is), or weird stories about why our cat has all of the sudden decided sleeping on my chest/belly is the best bed in the house. Entertainment is sure to follow.

So for today...it is Friday and my worries be gone! :)

Oh Brother

I was so lucky to be able to spend last week with my brother and his partner. He was in town for us to celebrate Christmas. It was such a good visit and so wonderful to see him. I love him so much. My brother has always been someone I look up to. I can remember being a kid and thinking he was so amazing - everything he did was admirable. He is so smart and talented. He is generous and has the kindest heart. I don't think I have ever seen a selfish action or word from my brother. I cannot even begin to count the numerous times I have seen him go out of his way to help someone or make them feel loved and acknowledged. When my brother was in high school he wrote a play that was far too deep for someone of his age, yet he captured the audience with ease. There was not a dry eye in that audience after the show ended. Everyone was on their feet. But that's my brother. He makes everything seem so simple but to any one of us it would be challenging. My brother is the most amazing person you have never met if you do not know him. (Of course I am bias...but it is true.)


I love my brother so much. He fills a spot in my heart that is warm and pure and all his. I still find myself looking up to my older brother with awe. Amazed at how much he has accomplished through all the struggles his life has brought him. He is still that amazingly gifted person who radiates love to everyone without pretense or discrimination. I am so blessed to have him in my life, to have him as my brother and to know the depth of his genuine love.

Crooked Angel

About three weeks ago I pulled out all the boxes labeled Christmas. I was so excited to decorate for the holidays because last year I didn't. I had the the next two hours planned....

Levi with his controller in hand played PS3 while I put up the tree - supervising me as he put it. I had no Christmas music to get my feet tapping, no Silent Night to sing along with (even though I cannot hit the high notes), just me, a tree and the call of war. : / I should have known this was not the end of it.

After setting up the tree, wrapping lights and decorating the tree I was done. Three weeks later, I have a crooked angel, a strand of lights has gone out in the middle (kind of middle), and the presents under the tree have been attacked by the silent and stealth ninja kitty. To top it off, we received handcrafted glass ornaments from Levi's parents two years ago and I refuse to take them out of the box because I don't want to them to break...so they are on my tree...still in the box...and Levi loves to make fun of me for it. Somehow it all seems fitting...as with life, just when you think everything is set in order you get another curve ball - or in this case a strand of lights going out. ;) No matter what, this will be a wonderful Christmas with an ill-lighted tree, a boxed ornament and a crooked angel.

Merry Christmas!

I'm in Love...and so is my Husband!

With eachother? Well sure if we want to get technical. Levi has found love with his new PS3 game Call of Duty: Black OPs and I am in love with my Kindle (gifts for our anniversary). I didn't think I could love something this much, but I absolutely love it. (And I kind of feel weird, like the Jetsons.) I figured it would be just like reading any other old book, well...it is. But it is super convenient. I know most of the adoration for this item is the novelty of a new toy. So next month, I'll just have to love my husband again. ;) But now you know, if you can't get ahold of the two of us it's because we are in love.

One...two...three...

...years of marriage! Happy Anniversary my love!